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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 5, 1997 MINUTES A meeting of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity was held in the Pickering Civic Complex on Wednesday, February 5, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. Present: Roland Rutland, Social Development(Co-Chair) Jane Kiyonaga, Durham Separate School Board Donna Bovolaneas, Community Appointee Dr. Phebe-Jane Poole,Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Fred Gibson, Community Appointee Roger Beckett, Community Appointee Staff Sergeant Gord McKechnie, Durham Regional Police Victoria George, Pickering High School Norm Powers, Durham Board of Education Mobeen Khaja, Community Appointee Stephen Reynolds, Town of Pickering Lynn Winterstein, Town of Pickering Margaret Donaldson, Recording Secretary Regrets: Councillor Dave Ryan, Co-Chair Olivia Rose, St. Mary Secondary School 1. Welcome Mr. Reynolds welcomed all in attendance and advised that Councillor Ryan sends his regrets as he had an urgent provincial meeting to attend and that Mr. Rutland would be joining the meeting later as he also is in attendance at another meeting. 2 Approve Minutes of Last Meeting MOTION: Moved by: Staff Sergeant Gord McKechnie Seconded by: Dr. Phebe-Jane Poole That the Minutes of the January 14, 1997 meeting be approved with the following items being noted. F 2 Mr. Reynolds advised that he had received a fax from Ms. Angie Littlefield with regards to Page 6 of the previous minutes. Ms. Littlefield advised that teachers have a set curriculum and do not incorporate projects into it. Drama and Art students may volunteer to participate but there will not be a Pine Ridge Drama or Art contribution by staff working it into the curriculum. Mr. Powers stated that he would follow-up with Ms. Littlefield. He advised that he knows the Board Policy on curriculum activities but would like to some clarification from Ms. Littlefield with regards to the fax, to find out if Pine Ridge would participate as part of their extra curriculum program. Mr. Reynolds stated that we would like to have Pine Ridge Secondary School participate. Mr. Powers stated that it would be an administrative decision of the school,but would follow-up. Carried 3. Updates From Sub-Committees Ms. Winterstein distributed a handout to committee members updating them on the meeting which she had with Ms. Roche (St. Mary) and the progress for the Artistic Presentation. Ms. Winterstein requested approval from the Committee to go ahead and order the supplies for the Mural. MOTION: Moved by: Mr. Ian Weber Seconded by Staff Sergeant Gord McKechnie That we proceed with ordering of the paints and supplies for the Mural. Carried Ms. Kiyonaga gave an update on behalf of Olivia Rose who sent her regrets. The Youth Committee held a meeting today and the artists have sectioned the canvas and distributed to schools. There are approximately 8 - 9 artists involved and each school is coming up with their own concept of the Mural. 3 Ms. George stated that during the meeting they looked at various sketches from each school. Each school came up with unique ideas for the Mural with each one being different. Mr. McKechnie asked what would happen to the Mural after the Event. Ms. Winterstein advised that because the Mural is portable it could easily be moved to other locations (e.g. Schools, Recreation Complex and Libraries)to be viewed. Ms. Kiyonaga suggested that it could be loaned out to other facilities. Mr. McKechnie suggested that since it was more than one section each piece could be in different locations of Town facilities. Ms. Winterstein stated that after the event the Mural could have grommets for hanging placed in it. Ms. George advised that the Mural was being completed during and after school. Ms Kiyonaga asked if the Youth Committee felt that the timeline was okay. Ms. George advised that everyone was very enthusiastic but were concerned about March Break. Mr. Powers advised that the schools were opened on March 19, 20 and 21st if the students wished to continue at this time. Mr. Reynolds advised that the letters had been distributed to the Superintendents asking them to forward letters to principals. Mr. Powers stated that he gave a brief presentation prior to the letters going to the Principals and gave his support. Mr. Powers also forwarded an E-Mail to Ms. Littlefield advising that it does not have to be in the curriculum and we are asking for their support. Mr. Rutland will follow-up with regards to Drama. Ms. Kiyonaga advised that she had forwarded the package to Superintendent John Paul Patenaude. She asked about the status of Drama. Mr. Reynolds advised that he had met with Mr. Rutland and had asked him to wait until the week of January 27th before following up with the Principals. Ms. Kiyonaga stated that St. Mary Secondary School is waiting for the call. Ms. Bovolaneas expressed her concern with regards to the time frame with regards to the letters going to the Principals. This slowed up the contact process. 4 Ms. Bovolaneas reported that Councillor Ryan and she had completed a tentative time table for the event. Her concern was if a school chose not to participate in the Drama what do we fall back on? Mr. Powers stated that this why he asked of schools had been contacted with regards to the time frame. He expressed concern with regards to the Drama and Art Exhibits. He also advised Pickering High School does not come under his jurisdiction(it comes under the Ajax Superintendent). Mr. Reynolds asked Mr. Powers asked if he could follow-up with Pine Ridge and Dunbarton High Schools with regards to this. Mr. Reynolds will follow-up with Mr. Rutland. Mr. Reynolds welcomed Mr. Mobeen Khaja to Committee Members as this was his first meeting a new member of the Committee. Ms. Bovolaneas advised that the 3 speakers (Jason Humphries, Lisa Flood and Aisha Omar) had confirmed their attendance, and advised that she would be working with them on themes for their presentations. Mr. Reynolds advised that the invitation had been sent to Lincoln Alexander to be the keynote speaker. He will follow-up next week. Ms. Bovolaneas asked if a backup speaker had been considered. She suggested the New Chair of the Human Rights Commission, but felt that she will possibly be in as much demand as Mr. Alexander. Mr. Reynolds asked Committee Members if they have any other suggestions. Ms. Bovolaneas suggested maybe someone who has a track record with Youth. Sarah McDonald was suggested. Mr. Powers advised that Ms. McDonald had been promoted to Vice Principal at Dunbarton High School. Ms. Kiyonaga suggested that if we could not find anyone we could possibly use one of the Youth Speakers. Ms. Bovolaneas stated that this event is for the whole Community. Staff Sergeant McKechnie suggested we look at the speakers list that had previously been distributed. • 5 Mr. Reynolds asked Committee Members that if any names come to mind would they call him. Ms. Bovolaneas requested members make a commitment to get the names in by early next week. Ms. Bovolaneas gave an overview of the Draft Program Event Agenda. Mr. Power suggested in the event that we do not get 4 skits possibly invite a small choir to sing. The Committee was receptive to music being included in the program. Mr. Reynolds felt that this was a good suggestion as a fall back in case we do not get enough skits. He asked Committee Members if there were any suggested performers. Mr. Khaja suggested Dr. Khan's daughter. Mr. McKechnie suggested we should ask Mr. Fred Gibson. Mr. Kiyonaga suggested the Jazz Choir from St. Mary. Ms. Kiyonaga asked if Councillor Ryan will be the MC for the Event. Ms. Bovolaneas stated that it had not been discussed, and was not sure if Mayor Arthurs wanted to do the opening. Mr. Beckett suggested that we have a Net Meeting where we log into the server (NET) during the event, it is just like dialing into a conference call. Mr. McKechnie thought it was a good idea, we could have a live Race Relations Forum. Further discussions continued with respect to the Net Meeting and it was decided that Mr. Beckett would bring a demonstration to the next meeting. The 1st Draft of the Flyer was distributed. Ms. Bovolaneas advised that Mr. Beckett and she had worked on this flyer and the wording used is to give people an idea on the diversity of the Event. She also asked if the committee wanted to highlight the speakers on the flyer and poster. It may bring out more people if they know who the guest speakers were. Mr. Reynolds stated that a flyer will be ready for Heritage Day Festival (February 15th) and then could be updated to go to the schools. 6 Ms. Bovolaneas suggested that we get approved photographs of the speakers to use on the posters. Mr. Rutland suggested that we call Mr. Lincoln Alexander and ask for a quick response. Ms. Bovolaneas and Mr. Beckett will co-ordinate getting photographs of the speakers and if they do not have any Mr. Beckett will take them. Ms. Winterstein stated that the Town does not have the capability of printing posters. After further discussions continued with regard to the topic of posters Ms. Bovolaneas stated that it should be discussed and worked on by the Promotion Committee. Dr. Poole advised that the Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade has agreed to have write-up of the Race Relations Committee in its upcoming Trade Talk Newsletter (write-up is due by February 15, 1997). The Newsletter will also promote our upcoming Event. Dr. Poole advised on the costs of the fax pole and asked for comments. She advised that it was distributed to approximately 400 businesses. After various discussions it was decided that the Department of Culture and Recreation will complete and fax a write-up by February 15, 1997 to the Board of Trade. Mr. McKechnie asked how many flyers are normally distributed to schools. Ms. Winterstein advised 9,000 copies. With regards to the Community Page she suggested we put a flyer in and then update weekly when confirmation is received from the Keynote Speaker. Mr. McKechnie advised that we should add our internet address for our Web Site on promotional material. Ms. Bovolaneas advised that the Ladies Progress Club unfortunately cannot take on the refreshments for the event as they are not in a position to do so. They regretted having to turn us down. 7 Ms. Winterstein is waiting on a response from the Civitan Club. Ms. Bovolaneas suggested contacting Beta Sigma Phi. Mr. Reynolds stated that depending on the results from the Civitan Club then maybe we would contact Beta Sigma Phi or another service club. Mr. Rutland suggested that if nothing materializes then we could ask to Loeb to sponsor the event. Ms. Bovolaneas asked if some of the local Cultural Clubs could possibly make a donation or assist with the refreshments. Ms. Kiyonaga asked if sponsorship will be on the program. 4. Heritage Day-February 15, 1997 Ms. Winterstein advised to date we have only received 7 applicants for the Heritage Day Festival. Invitations had been mailed to approximately 85 associations. It was also promoted in the Community Page and we have made follow-up phone calls to groups. Mr. Gibson asked if the Town and Community Groups were experiencing problems. Ms. Winterstein advised that no that was not the case. Many of the groups have advised they are very busy at this time of year. Mr. Reynolds suggested that if any Committee Members have connections with the group maybe they could call them and encourage them to participate. Ms. Winterstein advised that she would require to know by Monday, February 10, 1997. Mr. Rutland asked if we could make up a schedule of Committee Members who could assist at Heritage Day. Mr. Rutland, Mr. Gibson and Mobeen will setup, and Ms. Kiyonaga can be there for 12 noon. 5. Next Meeting February 17, 1997 7:00 p.m. Tower Meeting Room